Category: Lifestyle

Lifestyle, travel, Uncategorized

Tips for Traveling Europe – Save Time & Money

Isabel Tavenner

1. Packing cubes

Packing cubes have changed my life for the better. They have been a life saver in packing for weekend trips. Most come in a pack of five or six cubes, all different sizes. I like to organize an outfit per cube so then I can keep my things all together and nothing gets lost. Also, it eliminates the issue of overpacking. The packing cubes I use are not the prettiest you can find but they are very practical and not overly expensive. I highly recommend for students abroad doing weekend trips.

2. Skyscanner

Sky scanner has been another life saver when booking flights for the weekend. Sky scanner is special because it will search the cheapest flights pairing different airlines together for round trips. It also gives you options to book the cheapest or fastest flights and what your options would be for that. I have found that sky scanner always has the cheapest flights for round trips and I recommend it for anyone traveling in general and the numbers show.. check out this article by BBC.

3. Download Airline Apps and Follow on Social Media

Another tip I would have would be to download the airlines apps that you fly on the most. For me personally it would be Vueling, but I also have Easyjet and Ryanair for the occasional few times I have flown with them. It makes it so much easier to download boarding passes, change seats, add bags and the list goes on.

Vueling does a great job of keeping their passengers updated via social media as well as give helpful tips. Vueling, in my opinion, is by far the best low cost airline in Europe. Its app, social media and costumer service is above all.

4. Apple Wallet

My apple wallet has been a very helpful tool as well. Apple pay is not as common in the United States, but it definitely should be. It is a more efficient way of paying and mostly everywhere in Europe accepts it so I recommend you add your cards to your wallet.

Another great thing you can do with the apple wallet is add your boarding passes which I recommend doing for every flight. Most airlines will let you download your boarding pass directly to your apple wallet which eliminates the possibility of waiting in a long queue at check-in.

5. Download TV Shows or Movies

For people like myself that cannot sleep on planes, Youtube Premium, TV app on iPhone, and Netflix (Mobile Version) will be your best friends. I have such a hard time falling asleep on planes, especially shorter flights. Usually I will download one or two episodes of current shows I’m watching. Youtube premium allows you to download youtube videos, the TV app allows you to download current shows for a low price via iTunes and Netflix downloads are free with a subscription.

6. Reusable Water Bottle

My favorite, Hydroflask, is an essential for me while traveling. I hate becoming dehydrated during travel and unfortunately it happens quite often. I like to bring my Hydroflask empty through security then fill it up at a water fountain. This eliminates the annoyance of paying for an overpriced water bottle at the airport and keeps your water cool for 24+ hours.

7. Travel Sized Items

I got all my travel sized toiletries from Target and all my makeup travel sized items from Sephora. Both have a huge variety and you can find most of the products you use in travel sizes. This has been a huge issue abroad because if you travel with friends and stay in Airbnbs or hostels they usually don’t supply toiletries. Many people studying abroad forget things or don’t even bother buying travel sized anything so will use all their friends. Don’t be that person…

8. Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are also great especially if you are traveling longer distances than usual. They cancel out noises like babies crying, people talking or anything else you might unexpectedly encounter on your flight.

These Bose ones are good..

Or these Beats ones..

9. Portable Charger

Here is an article on the best portable chargers of 2019. Mine personally is from Amazon because I was short on time and needed one before abroad. Although, this was the best seller and holds almost two full charges for my phone. It has been an absolute essential for traveling, especially for me because I can’t sleep on planes and watching movies/TV drains my battery. It is also important to have a charged phone at all times for your boarding passes or copies of your passport/other documents you could need.

10. Neck Pillow

This is the neck pillow that I use, I know it looks a little strange but I promise it is so much better than the conventional neck pillow. I am obsessed with it now and will certainly not be going back to a normal one. It is again from Amazon, where I get most of my things.

food, Lifestyle

My Top 3 Favorite Restaurants in Barcelona

Isabel Tavenner

1. Surf House

Surf House is a complete tourist attraction for abroad students, but that does not take away from how good it truly is. Surf House has all of my favorite foods, from burgers to acai bowls, their menu is full of healthy options to not so healthy options. One of their most famous dishes among abroad students is the nachos.

My personal favorite dish is the Acai Bowl…

Another great part about Surf House is the offers they have. They offer free paddle boarding for costumers that spend over 15 euro, they offer surf lessons for an extra cost, beach yoga and many other fun activities.

They also have their own merchandise selling sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, socks, board shorts, and bags.

2. Tosca

Tosca is one of my other all time favorite restaurants and I am lucky enough to have one right outside my apartment. I like this restaurant specifically because it was not on any recommendations from prior students I know that studied abroad and I found it on my own. I will now probably recommend this place to everyone I know.

There are two locations: Tosca Del Carme

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The other location is Tosca Palau

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs-jqCCjIW8/

Some of my favorite meals from Tosca Carme are definitely their salads. I’ve tried nearly every one on the menu

But my favorite course is always desert and their homemade banana cake has to be one of my all time favorite deserts.

Tosca is perfect for a casual meal or more dressed up. The atmosphere is full of all ages and their staff is super friendly. I recommend it to anyone – young or old.

3. Honest Greens

Honest Greens is the perfect mix of a fast food and sit down restaurant but everything on the menu is healthy. When you walk in the ambiance is very laid back and hipster. You get in line to order as you would at a fast food restaurant but then you have the option to sit down or take it to go. If you sit down you are brought your food and waited on. I love having the option if I need to get work down or grab a bite with a friend vs. if I am in a rush to get somewhere.

Two of my favorite dishes are the Umami salad and the whole roasted cauliflower. They are so delicious and are perfect for getting back on a healthy diet. You can find the rest of the menu here…

They only have one location in Barcelona in Plaça Catalunya, but also have four locations in Madrid.

Their mission is to create healthy, affordable, delicious and quick food. The creators were three travelers that met in Spain, one from the United States, one from Denmark and one from France that came together to create the chain that is now Honest Greens. They take pride in knowing everything that goes into their food and their logo is “You are what you eat.”

The chain seems more popular in Madrid because of the many locations. NakedMadrid, a guide to the city of Madrid, posted an in depth review on it a little over a year ago..

Honest Greens in my go-to for after class because of the proximity to CEA and how healthy but yummy it is. I will definitely miss living so close to it when I go back to the United States.

All of these restaurants are not overly expensive and definitely student friendly. All have different atmospheres but all ones I love and enjoy. I highly recommend you check these spots out if you are ever in Barcelona.

Lifestyle, Uncategorized

Travel Essentials

Isabel Tavenner

After traveling to different places in Europe for the past 4 weekends, I’ve gathered some accessories that are essential for me when traveling. Obviously these things are not all necessary, but make the hassle of traveling a little easier.

The first essential for me is the Summer Fridays Jet Lag face mask. This mask is so life changing and leaves your skin feeling amazing. It is a clear mask so don’t worry about anyone looking at you weird, but it is so hydrating. Leave the worries of your skin drying out from the plane behind and splurge on this product.

Next, are Airpods. I never used to understand why anyone would splurge on something like this, but after using them, I now understand. It makes a huge difference in all your wires getting tangled and just makes things hassle-free. Again, not an essential but eliminates the annoyance of tangled wires. If, you have a birthday coming up it makes a great gift.

Going with the electronic trend, a portable charger has been my lifesaver. I use the Anker charger which holds two full lives of battery and is pretty affordable. I always download some TV shows or movies for my flight which drains my battery. A lot of the trips I have done we don’t have time to go home and charge my phone. This portable charger fits in a smaller bag and is very easy to travel with so it has been a must have for every trip.

A blanket scarf has also been one of my favorite things to travel with. This is a similar one to the one I have but I suggest a neutral color so it matches with everything. I get very cold on planes but I never want to bring a full sized blanket because it takes up too much room. Bringing a huge scarf is perfect because it looks stylish but also doubles as a blanket. I can’t fly without one.

Lastly, is a mini hand sanitizer. Airports, planes, trains, taxis, etc. can be very gross and germy. Hand sanitizer is a must have for me traveling especially with preventing getting sick. I use it at least 10 times every time I’m flying somewhere. Also it’s super affordable and tiny so it can fit anywhere.